23 July 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chief Tom Weitzel tweitzel@riverside.il.us 708.447.2127 - Follow RPD on Twitter @pdriverside


Riverside Police Arrest Man Who Was Looking to Steal Bikes
Resident plays direct role in helping police apprehend offender
On Monday, July 21, 2014 at 3:02 p.m., the Riverside Police Department received a call of a suspicious individual
who was riding a bicycle in and out of driveways on the 100 block of Bloomingbank Road. Police were advised
that the resident had observed the male subject ride a bike in his neighbor's yard and had gone all the way into the
backyard and was staring at other bicycles that were unlocked in yards along Bloomingbank Road. Riverside 911
dispatcher broadcasted the information over the frequency and within four minutes Riverside Deputy Chief Police
David Krull spotted the subject fitting the description on the 300 block of Bloomingbank Road adjacent to the scout
cabin.
Deputy Chief Krull detained this individual in a yard on the 300 block of Bloomingbank Road until they could
determine what had actually taken place. Other officers went over and spoke to the victim and the following was
learned. The witness said he observed the male riding his bike in the driveway in the area of the 100 block of
Bloomingbank Road and he was looking in the rear yard for a bike. He stated that he went out to confront the
individual and asked him what they were doing and he rode away immediately in a southerly direction. The
witness then called police.
Once in police custody, the suspect stated that he was riding his bike in Riverside and he saw what he has
described in his statement as a nicer racing bike in a front yard at a home. He stopped only to look at that bike
and then was confronted by the homeowners and he fled southbound.
Riverside Police charged Gabriel Leanos, 18 of the 1500 block of South 49
th
Court in Cicero with one count
of criminal trespass to land. Mr. Leanos was never able to steal the bike.
Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel stated, This arrest and the prevention of a bike theft was the direct result
of a resident calling 911 to report suspicious activity. Make no mistake about it; this arrest would not have been
possible without the direct involvement of one of our residents. The resident called police immediately and
assisted in identifying the suspect when police apprehended him. For that, I am truly thankful.
Riverside Police stated they have had a series of bike thefts over the last two to three weeks where unlocked
bikes have been stolen from driveways, open garages and in some cases at the train depot.
EWS RELEASE
RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT
31 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546